Eurostar are operating a contingency timetable

[Jonjo]

Due to severe weather conditions in France Eurostar are operating a contingency timetable which is resulting in some cancellations.

Service Update - (20:30 UK time)

Due to the severe disruption we have experienced today we have a number of trains and crew out of position. We expect ongoing severe weather conditions to result in speed restrictions and delays on our routes.

We anticipate operating a contingency timetable with some cancellations for a number of days.

We recommend that if you do not need to travel you cancel or postpone your journey. Due to exceptionally high demand, sales are closed for travel up to and including 24 Dec.

If you are booked to travel during this period you will be eligible for a refund or to exchange your tickets in the next 60 days for travel in the next 90 days. If you must travel and have a valid ticket we will be checking people onto the next available train because of a backlog from the weekend. This means there will be very long queues at our stations.

Our contact centre is also experiencing high levels of demand.

 

[noodlesmum]

Jonjo do you know if this has any implication on the eurotunnel? Are those trains subject to the same speed restrictions?

 

[Jonjo]

The Eurostar web site is not being updated very well with regards to which Eurostars are being canceld between London and Paris.

The best Best place to look is Infolignes as they are keeping this site up to date with regards to all the latest cancelations.

http://www.infolignes.com/previsions.php?zoneId=1&zoneName=Nord

 

[Jonjo]

Jonjo do you know if this has any implication on the eurotunnel? Are those trains subject to the same speed restrictions?

In adverse weather conditions the Eurotunnel shuttles normaly run slower.
The BBC Travel News website is showing delays of upto 30 mins on the shuttle services.

For the latest real-time travel information for both the UK & French Terminals, its best to call their 24 hour Customer Information Line on 08444 630000.

I know there are lots of problems on the M25 today due to broken down lorry's and accidents, so make sure you leave in plenty of time to get to the terminal.

 

[Jonjo]

Just hearded on BBC Radio 4 that there are very long queues at St Pancras International for passangers traveling on Eurostar. The queue is 2 Kilometers long and a wait of 10 hours is rumored.

 

[noodlesmum]

Thanks for the info Jonjo - just to add about St Pancras, I've just seen a report on BBC News - like you said a wait of up to ten hours, a number of those are actually outside the building which is horrendous. They are advising not to go to the Eurostar terminal unless you hold a ticket as I think a lot of people have given up at Heathrow and headed to the Eurostar causing the backlog. On the other side at Gare Du Nord over 2000 passangers queuing to make the return journey.

I know there are lots of problems on the M25 today due to broken down lorry's and accidents, so make sure you leave in plenty of time to get to the terminal.

Thanks We have a week to go so I have all my fingers and toes crossed that the situation improves but everyday it seems less likely that we are going to get there

 

[Jonjo]

Thanks We have a week to go so I have all my fingers and toes crossed that the situation improves but everyday it seems less likely that we are going to get there

If you can I would sugest you book a hotel near Folkestone and drive down the day before your Eurotunnel crossing. A few other Dis'ers have done that in the past so they don't have the stress of driving down to DLP in one go when the weather is bad.

 

[noodlesmum]

If you can I would sugest you book a hotel near Folkestone and drive down the day before your Eurotunnel crossing. A few other Dis'ers have done that in the past so they don't have the stress of driving down to DLP in one go when the weather is bad.

It had crossed my mind - I might have a look now...

 

[Lisa_C]

For anyone travelling to Folkestone for the shuttle, please make sure you DO book a hotel and don't travel down on the same day as your shuttle - the roads are BAD this end due to ice (with snow STILL falling) and Operation Stack is in use on the M20. Ashford is horrendous, so if you can, plan to stay in Folkestone.

The Eurostar is running like a snail along the tracks and Ashford is flooded with travellers staying over, so as mentioned, Folkestone is the best place for a hotel right now. Please pack an emergency bag containing food and water (and a flask or two of hot drink) and also blankets as the roads are really that bad so be prepared.

Best of luck to all those travelling.

 

[Jonjo]

Had a call from colleagues in Folkestone today waiting for a shuttle to France, they were experiancing a four hour delay.